James wins support at candidates' debate on poverty

New Democratic Party Leader Carole James squared off tonight against three challengers for her Victoria-Beacon Hill seat in a debate about poverty and homelessness.

She was the star of the show, getting strong support throughout the night from the crowd of about 150 people at Our Place, the downtown shelter.

James hammered the B.C. Liberal government record on helping the poor, saying society is judged by how it treats the most vulnerable, “and I have to say I’m pretty ashamed.”

She said the most shameful statistic in B.C. is that the province has had the worst child-poverty rate in Canada for five years in a row.

“That’s not good for the economy, it’s not good for anyone.”

James promised to set specific targets for alleviating poverty, begin measuring progress and report out.

An NDP government would also get back in the business of building affordable housing and raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour from $8, she said.

Liberal candidate Dallas Henault, a 25-year-old party caucus staff member, defended the government’s spending record on housing, but got a lukewarm response and was booed on occasion.

He said 4,600 people have received real housing support in the last 18 months, 470 in Victoria alone.

Green Party candidate Adam Saab said that with the resources B.C. enjoys, he never thought he would have to stand up and talk about homelessness, but it stems from non-constructive work in the legislature and partisan bickering.

Greens want a guaranteed liveable income for needy people.

Independent Saul Anderson, the “cheapest fastest” cab driver in town, wore a “Gordzilla” T-shirt and demanded a complete overhaul of the cruel and degrading welfare system.

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James wins support at candidates' debate on poverty

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